CRINKUM CRANKUM TREE

Have you ever read the story 'Crinkum-Crankum' by Margaret Mahy? We are very lucky at Nelson Central School to have the actual Crinkum-Crankum tree as illustrated by Robin Belton.

In Room 14 we are learning to retell a story. We have been working in small groups to retell 'Crinkum-Crankum'.

Once there was a tree that had a fairy godmother. There was a witch that flew by every year. The witch told the tree to grow crooked. That year the fairy godmother came to see the tree. The tree said “I like it here, but I have to grow crooked.” The fairy godmother touched the tree and told it to grow sweet, so the tree grew sweet.

The witch flew by a year later and saw the tree was covered in pretty pink flowers. The witch was angry and said “Grow lazy-crazy!” The fairy godmother came to see the tree. The fairy godmother touched the tree and the tree grew golden.

A year later the witch flew by again. The tree was covered in pink flowers and golden leaves. The witch was angry and said “Grow crinkum-crankum!” The fairy godmother came to see how the tree was getting on. She touched the tree and told it to grow safe.

A year later the witch flew by again and saw lots of children playing in the tree. “This is the best tree in the world!” The witch burst like a black balloon because she was so mad!

Retold by Emma and Lucy

Once upon a time there was a tree that had a fairy godmother. A witch flew by and told the tree to grow crooked. The fairy godmother came to see how the tree was getting on. The fairy godmother touched the tree and told it to grow sweet.

A year later the witch flew by and told the tree to grow crooked and lazy-crazy. Then the fairy godmother came back. She told the tree to grow golden.

The witch went to see how the tree was growing. She saw the tree was covered in pink flowers and leaves. She was so angry that she told the tree to grow crinkum-crankum. The fairy godmother came to see how the tree was growing. She touched the tree and told it to grow safe.

A year later the witch flew by and saw that the branches were full of children. The tree was just right for the children to play in. “This is the best tree in town!” The witch was so angry that she burst like a black balloon.

Retold by Usha and Cailin

You can click on the link to our writing blog to read more of our great stories!